About 1000 clients of Disabilities Information Service and CCS Otago had been sent the survey this month, CCS regional manager Paul Martin, of Dunedin, said.
It asked questions about access, quality of living and availability of support.
He hoped the survey could provide information for organisations such as Community Housing and the Dunedin City Council for developing new housing projects.
Mr Martin said there was a need to collect as much information as possible.
"We have heard a lot of anecdotal information about people having access difficulties around the home, whether it's not having a wheelchair ramp, or needing extra support around the home, so this survey will hopefully help us in figuring out what needs to be done."
Otago's ageing population posed new challenges, he said.
"Otago's population is getting older, and there will be many people with movement disabilities who will find it difficult to come to terms with. We have to take into account that some might not consider themselves 'disabled,' as they had been mobile all their life."
More young people with physical and mental disabilities were also living independently and the survey might identify initiatives to help them cope.
